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Chapter TwoBR
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Disclaimer: The Obernewtyn Chronicles and all related characters and plot lines are the property of Ms Isobelle Carmody. No money is being made from this and no copyright violations are intended.BR
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It was several days before I got the chance to see Bronwyn again. Made more unpleasant than ever by a stint planting out on the farms, Selwyn was back in my care, her fair skin reddened by days in the sun, and a refusal of the healer lotions that prevented it - or at least made it less severe. Alad had privately told me I was welcome to her after an encounter with her when she had argued with two of her fellow planters - a young beastspeaker who had nearly been reduced to tears, and a coercer-novice who had reportedly slapped her hard enough to leave a mark on Selwyn's cheek for days after.BR
I had not been present - being crossguilded to the beastspeaking guild, among others, I had already served a stint working on the farms, and returned to the duties of a Ward.BR
Alad had set Selwyn to washing pots in the kitchen, and the coercer-novice to the harder labour of ploughing the far fields for a few days. BR
I jogged to the now-closed library doors, hampered by my long skirts, and paused for a minute to compose myself and slow my breathing, late from what was meant to be another lesson with Selwyn - the girl had not even made an appearance, and she was was one who had arranged the meeting. It was the third time she'd done so and I had spent most of the time waiting running over in my head just Iwhat/I I was going to say to her when I finally caught up with the girl.BR
The merge had already been called to order, and my father scowled at me across the room as I entered. You're late, Elanor. Do you realise one of the chief reasons we are here is to discuss your expedition to Sutrium?BR
Mama sighed, placing a conciliatory hand on his arm. Calm down Rushton - we've only just begun, after all. She looked up at me as I seated myself in the empty chair next to her, and I saw an expression of mingled pity and deep weariness cross her features. Selwyn again?BR
I nodded, and Alad spoke up, unusually vocal. Something needs to be done about that girl. She's out of order and she knows it - worse, she appears to enjoy upsetting everyone and everything about her.BR
Mama rolled her eyes. Too true, and it's upsetting training. Attitudes like her's spread quickly from person to person, and we have enough trouble as it is with the people sent to us. She sighed. It's a pity we can't simply send her back home to her parents and let Ithem/I enjoy the company of the little monster they've created. BR
Gevan sat forward, looking interested. If the little hellcat's too much for the two of you, here he nodded to myself and my mother. might I suggest an early transfer to my own guild? She's a coercer, after all, so she'd have come to us eventually, and a stint among people every bit as stubborn and argumentative as she is might do her good. In any case, something must be done with her while Ela is in Sutrium - Selwyn can't be left on her own to run amok in Obernewtyn. Perhaps Merret, he look at his guilden, Or even I could take her under our wing, so to speak. BR
My parents nodded as one, and I eyed him doubtfully. If you think you can handle her, then yes, I'd be happy to let you have her. BR
Gevan grinned. You shouldn't put so much confidence in me, Ela - really , it might swell my already over inflated ego. BR
I sighed. My apologies - but she Iis/I a handful, there's no denying that. BR
I'm well aware of it - I have read your reports, you know. BR
Of course. I sat back, shaking my head slightly and wondering where all these guildmasters and mistresses found so many hours in the day to do all they must. I supposed I would find out eventually - I would have to, unless I wished to be truly dismal in my eventual role as Mistress of Obernewtyn. BR
So, that's dealt with then? Queried my father. Excellent. Selwyn will go formally into Gevan's care, at the very least until Elanor returns from Sutrium. Ela, can you inform Selwyn of this turn of events next time you meet with her? BR
If she turns up. BR
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, running a hand through hair now liberally sprinkled with gray, the single streak of white grown larger from how I remembered it from childhood, and I sat up guiltily, realising I was acting like a spoilt child. BR
I mumbled. BR
Ceirwan learned over the whisper to my mother, and I overheard him say that I might be older than she was when she first became a guildmistress, but not nearly as mature. I scowled, but quickly smoothed my expression when my mother cast a worried glance in my direction. She shook her head ever so slightly, pursing her lips in an unspoken message. IBehave, Ela./I Ela. BR
I flushed - she Ihad/I seen, after all.BR
Well then, my father was speaking again. Shall we move on? The next issue to be attended to is, I believe, your expedition. He nodded at me. What issues in particular, if any, do we need to have brought up at the Council meeting?BR
I looked across to the futuretellers. Now was the perfect time for Maryon to bring up her dream, if she felt so compelled. She remained silent, however, face serene, and I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Beside her, Bronwyn looked miserable, but I was confident she wouldnt speak if her guildmistress did not.BR
Alad raised a hand, signalling a desire to speak, and rose as Da nodded at him. We need to do something about the situation with the beasts in Sawlney - the prejudice there is worse than it is anywhere else in the Land and the translators weve sent are at their wits end trying to figure out ways to have people modify their attitudes. The problem is, the people who are causing the most trouble are the older folk, and I'm afraid their opinion of Misfits is no better than it is of beasts - in some cases, worse. Apparently theres an ex-Herder living in the town, and hes been doing his best to inflame the local populace - spreading rumours of monsters and demons walking among them in the guise of Misfits and beasts, and so forth.BR
The older members of Guildmerge looked troubled, and, glancing at my mothers face, I saw how she had gone quite pale, her face and body tense. I recalled then with a slight shudder that her entire family had been murdered by the Herders when she was yet younger than I.BR
Alad continued. ve spoken to the Councillor for Sawlney, but as yet hes had either no time or no inclination to deal with is, so they sent to us. They hope if its brought up in Council the matter will have to be dealt with - that we could force the Councillors hand, so to speak.BR
I scribbled a note to myself about the matter, and Alad sat. I looked up. do you know this Councillors name?BR
He frowned. You know, I do, but I cant recall... it began with an A, I believe. Rushton?BR
Da was writing a note of some sort, and he answered without looking up. It was Aaron. Aaron of Sawlney ... He looked up at me. ll need to watch out for that one - hes a close-mouthed, tight-fisted bastard and I dont doubt that hed welcome the return of the old Council - provided, of course, he retained his position.BR
I nodded. Why was he elected then? It seems absurd to appoint someone like that.BR
His voice was calm, and he began to write again. At the time he was elected, Sawlneys businesses needed coin, and Aaron could generate it for them. Individually, hes quite wealthy - he owns most of the farmland in the area, and makes a healthy profit out of taxing the products he trades on Sawlneys behalf.BR
Gevan frowned, learning his forearms against the table. It might be difficult to get Aaron to agree to doing something about the situation with the beasts, even if hes publicly confronted in Council - the Council elections are to be held soon, and Aaron will be looking to make himself popular with the locals - always assuming he wants to be re-elected.BR
Which he will, from the sounds of it. Roland spoke, his deep rumble carrying clearly across the table, bringing with an obscure memory of being injured in the Healerhall as a child, Rolands voice soothing as he set splint and bandage, his gentle healing talent numbing the pain.BR
The rich scent of burning pine reached me, and I shook my head abruptly, sitting up a little straighter. Privately I wondered what was wrong with me - I seemed to be constantly drifting into a dream these days. The logical thing to do would be to go and see Maryon, but if I did she might see more of what would happen if I went to Sutrium - and that carried the risk of her telling my parents.BR
With the issue of the beasts in Sawlney dealt with, there were a few more things to be dealt with for the Councilmeet - mostly issues of goods-trading - and a great deal of issues that had nothing to do with me or Sutrium at all. I absentmindedly took notes, scribbling small images in the margins. When I looked down at them, I found the images dark and strange - wings of black and white beating against one another, bars of a window, closed doors, a sinister smoking chalice. Sometime during that guildmerge Bronwyn slipped me a note on a scrap of stained paper. It read, simply, see me after guildmerge. V. important - trueseeing.BR
I frowned at it as if it to make it reveal its secrets, crumpling the note when my mother lifted her brows enquiringly in my direction. s wrong?BR
I shrugged ambiguously, and she turned back to the meeting, stilling my hand as I made aimless sketches about my notes, and I felt a flare of irritation.BR
Stop treating me like a child! I sent, earning myself a glare.BR
Stop acting like one.BR
I flicked her hand away and reclaimed my pen, barely resisting the urge to draw after every unnecessary not I took.BR
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Ps the matter with you? I snapped. You were sulking all through guildmerge, writing suspicious looking notes - do you think no one will notice?BR
What about you? Bronwyn glared, and I felt perversely glad of it, for it seemed to be the first time shed altered her expression that day. Acting like a spoilt child in guildmerge - I am beginning to think your parents made a mistake in making you a Ward!BR
I rocked back on my heels as if she had hit me, feeling the blood drain from my face. And Iwhat/I, I spat, hurt lending cruelty to my voice, Makes you think that?BR
She rolled her eyes heavenward and I felt the urge to slap her. Have you considered Obernewtyn at all in this, as a Ward should? Its not just yourself youre putting in danger, you know. According to what both Maryon and I have dreamt, this could cause Obernewtyns destruction!BR
I fought to restrain my temper. You said, did you not, that I had the chance to stop this thread, didnt you? To eradicate it?BR
Bronwyn scowled, and I saw her grit her teeth as she replied. I did, but I also said that this would be far more like to come to a head if you went. The change that you can solve this is high, but in doing so have you thought what Iyou/I might be the one who brings it down upon us? Why not just leave it be? Tell your parents to send someone else, that Maryon and I have foreseen you should not go.BR
I cried. m going, Bron! This is for me to decide and I have decided that it is my duty to Obernewtyn to go, and to do what I can.BR
Bronwyn was silent for a moment. Or is it, she asked, and now there was a deep weariness in her voice, that you are doing all of this out of some stupid desire to prove yourself to your parents and everyone else that you seem to think cant see you for their deeds?BR
I swallowed, brought near to tears by such harsh judgement by one so close to me. I dont have to prove anything to anyone. I said quietly. And now, if you have nothing to offer me but criticism. I shall be leaving. I rose and left quietly, feeling absurdly ashamed at her pronouncement. Because, after all, wasnt she right in a way?BR
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